Monday, June 23, 2008

George Carlin—R.I.P.


"I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."


FanBoyWonder would like to humbly add our voice to the world-wide chorus of those mourning the passing of the legendary comedian, philosopher and all-around cool guy George Carlin.

Mr. Carlin passed away yesterday (Sunday) in New York hospital of heart failure at the age of 71.

We first remember Mr. Carlin as a young FanBoyWonder listening to his classic stand-up act on our local rock station on Sunday evenings. When we were growing up one of the best shows on the radio waves in the Hartford area was the Comedy Hour—every Sunday at 9 p.m. and Mr. Carlin was a regular feature.

It was there that we were first introduced to Mr. Carlin—his hippy dippy weather man, the difference between football and baseball and it was from him that we were first exposed to clever, edgy and thoughtful political humor.

We also got to see him live while in college—circa 1990—and he was every bit the master comedian.

He later gained fame for later generations in the movies—as Cardinal Glick in Kevin Smith’s Dogma—among other roles but unlike many other comedians who make it to film, he never abandoned his first, best outlet of his wit—the stand-up comic stage.

George Carlin will perhaps be most famous or infamous for a certain seven “dirty” words—but the one word that will rule the day today is “sad.”

R.I.P.

Here are a few memorable George Carlin quotes thanks to http://strangeglue.com

"If someone loves you and they leave and don't come back, it was never meant to be. If someone loves you and they leave and come back, set them on fire."

"The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live."

"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

"Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong."

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...And can you believe that they are actually considering banning toy guns...AND THEY'RE GONNA KEEP THE F*$%IN' REAL ONES!!!"

Oh man. Sad day. Then again, most people don't write that much legendary comedy in ten lifetimes, so I guess he had a pretty great run.

RIP to one of my very first comedy heroes (on Comedy Hour on WHCN for me as well -- they don't still do that do they?)

5:44 AM, June 23, 2008  
Blogger FanBoyWonder said...

I don't think they do broadcast the Comedy Hour on WHCN...not ever since it became "The River."
I checked the radio station's website and found they carry John Tesh's radio show.....JOHN TESH!!!

Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield and now George Carlin. The world got very UNfunny today.

What's new with you Mac...any new dates or TV appearences?

7:03 PM, June 23, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tesh? On HCN? Oh, the times, they are a-sucking.

No new dates or TV yet, but when my book comes out in January, I should be on there someplace, hopefully talking to Oprah or somebody about it. We shall see!

Hope all's well with the fam down there, Chuck!

6:00 AM, June 24, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey FanBoyWonder...I came across your blog as I was Googling WHCN's Comedy Hour. I grew up outside Hartford too, and tuned in every Sunday night for over a decade to hear that show, and comics like Mr Carlin. Very fond memories of that show...then into King Biscuit Flower Hour!

6:20 PM, August 29, 2009  

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